Differential Heat Shock Protein Responses to Hibernation-Induced Hypometabolism and Arousal

GIUFFRIDA, P.M.; GIRAUD-BILLOUD, M.G; VEGA, I.A.; ALFREDO JUAN CASTRO VAZQUEZ

Foz de Iguassu

Congreso; 1st PanAmerican Congress of Physiological Sciences (PanAm-2014); 2014

Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae) has shown a notable invasive capability, partly due to its tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, as winter temperatures and drying up of its habitats. During hibernation, cellular protective responses of this snail are expected to follow an increase in oxygen radicals. We studied by Western Blot the expression of Hsc70, Hsp70 and Hsp90 in (1) control snails (25°C), (2) snails after 45 days of hibernation (13°C) and (3) aroused snails 30 min and (4) 24 h after 25°C water exposure, in both kidney and foot muscle tissue. Hsc70 and Hsp70 kidney levels remain stable during the activity-hibernation cycle, while Hsp90 increases during hibernation. The expression of Hsp70 and Hsp90 were also increased in the foot during hibernation. In both tissues, all levels were at baseline during arousal. Heat shock proteins would protect the proteome during hibernation-induced oxidative stress and may also participate in the control of metabolic stability.